Authentic Gelato and Old-World Charm at Pica Alberto in Rome

We were looking for a really, really good gelato place, and Pica Alberto did not disappoint! Gelato was fabulous, and the velvet backed chairs give the place a cool vibe.Highly recommend.

We went to Alberto Pica especially for their reputations of having the best ice-creams and we were very impressed by the quality of their gelatos! Their rice cinamon gelato, as well as the rose gelato are were to die for. We also tried chocolate ice-cream...which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!More which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!

We went to Alberto Pica especially for their reputations of having the best ice-creams and we were very impressed by the quality of their gelatos! Their rice cinamon gelato, as well as the rose gelato are were to die for. We also tried chocolate ice-cream...which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!More which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!

We went to Alberto Pica especially for their reputations of having the best ice-creams and we were very impressed by the quality of their gelatos! Their rice cinamon gelato, as well as the rose gelato are were to die for. We also tried chocolate ice-cream...which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!More which as by far the best we have ever tasted (and we have had our fair share of chocolate ice-creams in life ;)!) We noticed the bar also serves aperitivi in the late afternoon and came back as we loved the local vibes. The Spritz was genuine and the bites coming along with it enough for a small dinner. Highly recommended!

Uniformly excellent Gelato. The gelato sella pace has pistachio, candy orange, and crunch, and is my favorite flavor of the dozen I’ve tried this week. Chocolate lovers and the family thought the chocolate was the best they’ve had. Definitely overall the best gelato experience in...a very gelato heavy weekMore a very gelato heavy week

Uniformly excellent Gelato. The gelato sella pace has pistachio, candy orange, and crunch, and is my favorite flavor of the dozen I’ve tried this week. Chocolate lovers and the family thought the chocolate was the best they’ve had. Definitely overall the best gelato experience in...a very gelato heavy weekMore a very gelato heavy week

Uniformly excellent Gelato. The gelato sella pace has pistachio, candy orange, and crunch, and is my favorite flavor of the dozen I’ve tried this week. Chocolate lovers and the family thought the chocolate was the best they’ve had. Definitely overall the best gelato experience in...a very gelato heavy weekMore a very gelato heavy week

We were told this was the best ice cream place in Rome but honestly nothing was amazing.
Don't get me wrong!
The locationn is beautiful, but tired and a little run-down.
There is that 'special' old charm feeling.
Everything is authentic, which in Rome nowadays...is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.More is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.

We were told this was the best ice cream place in Rome but honestly nothing was amazing.
Don't get me wrong!
The locationn is beautiful, but tired and a little run-down.
There is that 'special' old charm feeling.
Everything is authentic, which in Rome nowadays...is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.More is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.

We were told this was the best ice cream place in Rome but honestly nothing was amazing.
Don't get me wrong!
The locationn is beautiful, but tired and a little run-down.
There is that 'special' old charm feeling.
Everything is authentic, which in Rome nowadays...is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.More is extremely rare: the bar counter, the coffee machine, the glass ice cream cups in the shape of a flower, the beautiful Vienna-style tables with marble tops, all the recognitions and certificates of exceptionally high quality from the past, charmingly framed and hanging on the walls...
We tried, among others, their famed 'riso and cannella' (rice and cinnamon) and pistachio.
This is in fact the only thing that sets this ice cream shop apart, this flavour is unique, but, honestly, in my opinion, it is not that good anymore, it was not easy to savor and eat it because the rice was not properly cooked and creamed.
Also their gelato flavors were subpar.
We felt a little sad, because we noticed that the people there make a big effort trying to be current in a world of unscrupulous competition and artificial and commercial stuff, even in the ice cream sector, and to give their customers a really 'homemade' and all natural ingredients product.
Nevertheless we certaily will go back and will invite our friends to try those authentic remains of the classic Roman delights.

We went there after our host indication. Couldnt be better. Pistacchio is the Very best. Best Ice cream ever.

We went there after our host indication. Couldnt be better. Pistacchio is the Very best. Best Ice cream ever.

We went there after our host indication. Couldnt be better. Pistacchio is the Very best. Best Ice cream ever.

Icecream was nothing special and the cone tasted old. No value for money. Go somewhere else to get good icecream.

Icecream was nothing special and the cone tasted old. No value for money. Go somewhere else to get good icecream.

Icecream was nothing special and the cone tasted old. No value for money. Go somewhere else to get good icecream.

A Roman friend first took us to this small, unassuming bar near the Ghetto, telling us it was the Romans' favorite. We have been back many times, and there is no better gelato in Rome. The orange honey is the most unique, chock full of...pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). MmmMore pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). Mmm

A Roman friend first took us to this small, unassuming bar near the Ghetto, telling us it was the Romans' favorite. We have been back many times, and there is no better gelato in Rome. The orange honey is the most unique, chock full of...pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). MmmMore pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). Mmm

A Roman friend first took us to this small, unassuming bar near the Ghetto, telling us it was the Romans' favorite. We have been back many times, and there is no better gelato in Rome. The orange honey is the most unique, chock full of...pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). MmmMore pieces of fresh orange and peel. The newest flavor is pistachio filled with pistachio pieces--amazing. I could go on and on...there is no bad flavor. Another one is 5 chocolate, which includes generous pieces of gianduia (hazelnut cream). Mmm

Ignore other reviews.

Excellent ice cream and sorbet.

Better still wander around in the quiet side streets. Every turn brings a surprise.

Ignore other reviews.

Excellent ice cream and sorbet.

Better still wander around in the quiet side streets. Every turn brings a surprise.

Ignore other reviews.

Excellent ice cream and sorbet.

Better still wander around in the quiet side streets. Every turn brings a surprise.

We came here by chance - love the authentic atmosphere, great gelato and pastries. We saw many locals come and have a coffee on their way home.

We came here by chance - love the authentic atmosphere, great gelato and pastries. We saw many locals come and have a coffee on their way home.

We came here by chance - love the authentic atmosphere, great gelato and pastries. We saw many locals come and have a coffee on their way home.

A lovely restaurant / gelato parlour in a quiet street in Rome. They have a small selection of flavours but they are comprised of the standard and the not so standard! It's reasonably priced and the gelato was probably the second best that we tasted!...(And we tasted a lot!)More (And we tasted a lot!)

A lovely restaurant / gelato parlour in a quiet street in Rome. They have a small selection of flavours but they are comprised of the standard and the not so standard! It's reasonably priced and the gelato was probably the second best that we tasted!...(And we tasted a lot!)More (And we tasted a lot!)

A lovely restaurant / gelato parlour in a quiet street in Rome. They have a small selection of flavours but they are comprised of the standard and the not so standard! It's reasonably priced and the gelato was probably the second best that we tasted!...(And we tasted a lot!)More (And we tasted a lot!)

I went today and this is by far the best ice cream in the world.
I initially went to get their famous rice one, and ended up getting three different ones after the owner offered me to try them. It was heaven in my mouth....The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!More The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!

I went today and this is by far the best ice cream in the world.
I initially went to get their famous rice one, and ended up getting three different ones after the owner offered me to try them. It was heaven in my mouth....The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!More The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!

I went today and this is by far the best ice cream in the world.
I initially went to get their famous rice one, and ended up getting three different ones after the owner offered me to try them. It was heaven in my mouth....The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!More The owner was also very welcoming and I am adding this place to my favorite Roman addresses!

Ignore the complainers. The gelato here is some of the best you'll ever taste. We had pistachio and zabaione, and both were exceptional, intensely flavored--the real thing. Don't expect lavish surroundings. it's basically a neighborhood bar.

Ignore the complainers. The gelato here is some of the best you'll ever taste. We had pistachio and zabaione, and both were exceptional, intensely flavored--the real thing. Don't expect lavish surroundings. it's basically a neighborhood bar.

Ignore the complainers. The gelato here is some of the best you'll ever taste. We had pistachio and zabaione, and both were exceptional, intensely flavored--the real thing. Don't expect lavish surroundings. it's basically a neighborhood bar.

I cannot comment on the food as we only popped in on a hot afternoon for a quick spritz and have to say at €7 this was one of the most expensive aperitivo we ever had, and it was served in disgusting dirty glasses with...some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.More some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.

I cannot comment on the food as we only popped in on a hot afternoon for a quick spritz and have to say at €7 this was one of the most expensive aperitivo we ever had, and it was served in disgusting dirty glasses with...some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.More some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.

I cannot comment on the food as we only popped in on a hot afternoon for a quick spritz and have to say at €7 this was one of the most expensive aperitivo we ever had, and it was served in disgusting dirty glasses with...some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.More some strange fried oily bread on the side which completely ruined my appetite for the evening. Not trying to be mean, but please polish your glasses next time.

We stopped by here after strolling down the Tiber River after our day long visit to the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. A nice, refreshing treat to give us energy to make it back to our hotel.

We stopped by here after strolling down the Tiber River after our day long visit to the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. A nice, refreshing treat to give us energy to make it back to our hotel.

We stopped by here after strolling down the Tiber River after our day long visit to the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. A nice, refreshing treat to give us energy to make it back to our hotel.

Quiet spot tucked away from the Main Streets of Rome. Although a gelateria, we enjoyed glasses of wine on their nice patio away from the hustle and bustle of the piazzas.

Lets start with basic. Ice cream was good, but no big difference from other gelaterias. We were family of four my wife take small icecream with one flavour and other takes medium with two flavour. When pricelist says that small cost 2 euroes and medium...More

We ordered ice cream (average) not as good as they say in other comments. But the worst thing was the "hot chocolate", 4 euros for a cup of hot WATER with cocoa powder, plus 1 Euro more for adding whipped cream with is not natural...More

Tranquil gelateria near the Tiber. Good chocolate and pistache icecream. Super espresso/cafe and friendly people.

The flavours are to die for. If you like pistachio you will never find better. (Note, it's not quite where it appears on the Tripadvisor map. It's actually on Via della Seggiola, near Via Arenula).

Truly excellent. Loved the honey and orange, and the rose flavour. Worth making an effort to find but the location is wrong on the map (see review below for details).

Everytime I am in Rome this us a compulsory stop. I love their creamy icecreams (you may find fruit icecreams better somewhere else but not the creams). I particularly like and is my best flavour ever the Honey-Lemon.
The owners are the head of IceCream...More

During our trip in Roma, we ate by night here for the dessert.Simply the best in Roma, many choices, and very tasty. Service was good too.

We have been enjoying Pica for 20 years and as Many visits to Rome. The staff are not friendly but the gelati is mindblowing. The flavours are unique (rice and fragoline are our favs) we are stopping here daily due to its awesomeness...mr Pica has...More

I came here to try the pistachio gelato, having read a Rome blogger's claim that this was the best pistachio gelato in the city. I've tried many gelateria in Rome -- though by no means all -- but so far, I have to agree this...More

Location on Tripadvisor is slightly wrong: the shop is actually located where Via della Seggiola meets Via Arenula, opposite the Ministry of Justice building. Gelato come in 3 prices: 2,2.50 and 3. We chose the rice and cinnamon option (unusual, slightly lacking in cinnamon, with...More

I was skeptical at first about rice in my gelato, but I trusted Alberto Pica and I was not disappointed. I would go back to Rome just for this gelato place. It's truly that good. In the summer there is a fresh strawberry and rice...More

I wouldn't call myself a gelato expert by any means but t this ice cream was delicious, so much that we had to go back a second time. They had a rice with cinnamon flavour which I would recommend. Very reasonable prices: a cup with...More

Artisan gelato a little off the beaten oath in Campo Fiori. I found it on Eat Italy app that was spot on for recommendations. The risa alla canella (rice and cinnamon) will take you back in time even as you savor every bite in the...More

This is a good spot to take a gelato break in the Sant'Angelo district. It was tucked away in an unobtrusive location in the backstreets of the neighborhood. The storefront was inviting with some outdoor seating options. The interior was a little cramped but had...More

A good range of flavours and really good gelato. The staff were friendly. We liked the location just round the corner from Largo di Torre Argentina but just tucked out of the way. It was nice to enjoy a relaxing break in the seating area...More

Over-priced ice cream (14 euros for 2 flavours and one cup of slush puppy :P) that was served with hair in the ice cream. Bad and arrogant service.

This Gelateria was fortunately 50 meters from our apartment. How lucky can you be? Never before tasted icecream with such rich a flavour...... And I have to admit, that I have tasted a lot of icecream ;-)

The range of flavour is less important than the one of GIOLITTI and the quality a little less good

Prices are lower too

Service is rather "dry"

Delicious, interesting flavours - especially liked the pistachio, which I 've finally learned how to pronounce correctly. Not sure if older gent behind the counter was laughing at my Italian or his English... worth the aggro for the cone!!

Good choice if you're down in the Campo di Fiori or Ghetto area. It's on several top gelato lists and it was very good - just not tops on our list. The flavors (dark chocolate and pistachio) were light versus most other places and we...More

We ate a lot of gelato on this trip but found Alberto Pica to be our favorite shop. I liked the coffee flavor the most. The people were very friendly to us as well. This will be our go-to gelateria whenever we're in Rome.

I went to this store 15 years ago and had the best gelato of my life. I am delighted to return now and see that it still is the best gelato I ever had!
Perfect espresso!
Friendly staff! They don't speak much English, but the...More

We had gelato, coffee, wine and grappa at various times during our stay. It is clean, well-lit, offers a good variety of food and beverages, and is not expensive. It is a "local" for people who live in the area and is seated a short...More

We tried one gelataria per day whilst in Rome & this was my favourite. They are famous for rice ice-cream, supposed to be like rice pudding & I had the flavour with cinnamon. It was excellent. I also had some rose petal ice cream-I know...More

Unassuming little ice cream place near Largo Argentina, great flavours I had licorice - very tasty.
Avoid those 'pile them high places' - never the freshest!

This place is definitely worth a visit for delicious, imaginatively flavoured gelato. I'd recommend the rice and zabaoine, as they were the tastiest gelato flavours I had while in Rome.

Excellent gelato, especially the rice flavour. Very kind staff, in case you choose a wrong combination of flavours they advise you what to try instead :) this place is definitely worth a visit when you are in Rome, it is close to Largo di Torre...More

Our DGS driver took us here because it was his favorite place, and he was right! We ate gelato every day in Rome, Florence, and Venice, and this place was the best of them all!

This great find is hidden on a side street off of Via Arenula, near Piazza Argentina/Camp di Fiori. They have a ton of flavors nd quality can't be beat.

Called in a few days ago when passing. Good ice-cream at a time when we needed it.

The shop is famous for its rice ice cream and this is worth tasting if you're a rice pudding fan. Not sure I'd have it again but I'm...More

I was there this and purchased 4 cones of gelato. We tried crema, field strawberry, mixed berry and one other forgetful flavour. All incredibly sweet yet lacking fruit flavour. We couldn't find a garbage can soon enough to dispose of these barely eaten cones (there...More

The rice pudding gellato was highly rated. I did not care much for it myself, and it had chewey rice kernels in it. I like my gellato creamy, not chewey.

I did have a nice cappucino with water servied at a table inside.

We were looking for a place to eat lunch and noticed the outdoor umbrellas of Sr. Alberto Pica's place. The gentleman asked us to return because the food wouldn't be ready until 1PM. We went shopping for a while at Campo di Fiori and returned....More

As a previous reviewer wrote, try the riso. Or the riso e pere (with pear). To die for. I paired my riso with caffe, and that flavor too was delicious. Avoid the places that pile their gelato high, and stick with the unassuming Alberto Pica,...More

We have been going to Mr. Pica's for more than fifteen years and we can't get enough. On this past trip we had it three times in one day and no guilt whatsoever...

The Riso (rice) sounds odd, but really works with it's crispy and...More

Given previous reviews, I was expecting great things, but they didn't happen--the lemon ice cream had a bit of a stale taste to it, and the forest fruit didn't have much character to it. I did appreciate the gluten-free cone.

I have never eaten a banana ice cream this good. You must go there. Perfection. They don't accept credit cards which is not important as the ice cream is really cheap! Glad we walked there!!

Our tour guide told us this was not the most famous, but it was the best gelato in Rome. He just might have been right. The service was excellent, and the gelato was fantastic.

One of our many stops for gelato while in Rome on vacaction in September (2012). Close to the Piazza Campo dei Fiori, this place stands out as one of the VERY BEST in Rome (and we went to well over 10 of the highest rated...More

As we go through the city, we have been trying the best artiginale (sp) gelaterias recommended by others. My three daughters and I each got three different flavors (although they doubled up on the Rose flavor) and we switched around and shared etc. This was...More

I had read on tripadvisor that it was a reference, well sorry but it might have changed since then.
The service was bad (grumpy boss), you have little choice (all awkward flavors) and 1 of the 2 scoops I took was really bad (Fragola del...More

Watery gelato -- more like sorbets.....keep looking for the real thing

All flavorful and delicious. Unassuming storefront on a side street. Sat outside to eat our gelati, watching the world go by.

Great for sitting outside on a summer night - they have some benches, tables and chairs and planters of greenery so you can enjoy your cone and chat instead of hanging out on a curb. In the winter, there is a reduced selection of gelato...More

This was one of my last stops in my quest to taste as many gelaterias in Rome as possible. It offers pretty solid tasting gelato - i had pistachio, cherry chocolate, and some type of orange. All three flavors were very good, and I was...More